Author: Lawton Sack

Allen Young at the Sacramento Business Journal (California) reported yesterday afternoon that Georgia is still in the running for a new factory to be built by Faraday Future, an automobile startup that includes former senior employees of Tesla Motors. The company made an announcement on Thursday that they are planning to invest $1 billion into the new factory. The company is also looking at California, Louisiana, and Nevada. An announcement is expected in the next few weeks.

Nick Sampson, Senior Vice President of Faraday Future:

“We are very excited to make our $1 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing — and this is just phase one. Selecting the right location for the future FF manufacturing facility is critical to our overall goals. Producing our forward-looking and fully-connected electric vehicles not only requires the latest technology, but the right community partner.

With energy constraints, urban crowding, and the increasingly intrinsic relationship we have with technology, today’s cars simply do not meet today’s needs. Our range of 100% electric and intelligent vehicles will offer seamless connectivity to the outside world.”

The College Football Playoff announced today that Atlanta has been selected to host the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship, which is scheduled to be played on Monday, January 8, 2018, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“This is a very exciting day for everyone involved and a huge win for the Atlanta community,” said Dan Corso, Executive Director of the Atlanta Sports Council. “The bid process, which began in February of this year, was truly a team effort and we could not be more proud of the group of partners we have here in Atlanta. Together, we look forward to working with the College Football Playoff to host an unforgettable event and showcasing all that Atlanta has to offer as a host city.”

Leaders from around the Atlanta community teamed up on the proposal which was submitted this past May, and Atlanta was ultimately selected over Houston, Miami and Santa Clara. The Atlanta Bid Committee included representatives of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, Atlanta Falcons, Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, Georgia Tech and the Georgia World Congress Center Authority.

As part of Atlanta’s pitch, the Atlanta Bid Committee focused on the unique qualifications that set Atlanta apart, such as the accessibility with the world’s busiest airport and public transportation options, downtown walkability to hotels and world-class attractions like Mercedes-Benz Stadium, College Football Hall of Fame and the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. All of these combine to uniquely position Atlanta as a first-class, fan-friendly host city.Officials from the College Football Playoff visited Atlanta as part of the bid process in mid-July and toured ancillary event venues, hotels, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Preview Center and the construction site of Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

“We are excited and proud to host the 2018 College Football Playoff National Championship in Mercedes-Benz Stadium,” said Arthur Blank, owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC and Atlanta Falcons Stadium Company, developer and operator of Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “We promise to offer a first-class experience for teams, fans, media and business partners, and we will do everything we can to take this championship game to the next level in 2018.”

Atlanta is also home to the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl who is part of the College Football Playoff’s six-bowl semifinal rotation, and is slated to host its first Playoff Semifinal on December 31, 2016, along with the Fiesta Bowl.

House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R- WA) and Rep. Sanford Bishop (D- GA), co-chairs of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, will host a press conference with Blue Star Families (BSF), an organization dedicated to raising awareness of the challenges and struggles of military family life. BSF recently released its 2015 Annual Military Family Lifestyle Survey (AMFLS) and identified contemporary issues facing military families, including new findings and trends related to military pay and benefits, changes in retirement benefits, military spouse employment, veteran employment, and service member and veteran suicide.

The Atlanta Business Chronicle shared some data today reflecting the biggest problems for Atlanta area citizens. The data is from a poll released by the Atlanta Regional Commission (ARC) that was performed over a 13 county area by Kennesaw State University’s A.L. Burruss Institute of Public Service and Research.

The poll showed that 27% of the total respondents saw that transportation is the biggest problem, followed by crime, and then the economy in third. 91% stated that the improvement of public transit is either “very important” or “somewhat important” to the future of Atlanta. There were 44% that thought public transit could solve Atlanta’s traffic problems and 31% thought it could be solved by improving the roads in the area.

Doug Hooker, Executive Director of the ARC, shared at this mornings annual State of the Region breakfast that the region’s population grew by 60,000 and 80,000 jobs were added. Hooker added: “We’re adding jobs and residents at a faster clip than ever before. There’s a lot of work still to do, but it’s sure nice to be heading back up.”

Citizens must be feeling positive themselves, as only 14% of respondents believed that things would get worse of the next 3-4 years, which is down from 31% from just two years ago.

“This week I joined House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz and other members of the Committee to introduce a resolution to begin proceedings in the United States House of Representatives to impeach Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner John Koskinen due to his severe violations of public trust.

First, Commissioner Koskinen failed to comply with a subpoena resulting in destruction of key evidence. Under his watch, the IRS erased 422 backup tapes containing as many as 24,000 of Lois Lerner’s emails.

Next, Commissioner Koskinen lied to Congress during testimony when he claimed the IRS turned over all emails relevant to the congressional investigation, including all of Ms. Lerner’s emails. When the agency determined Ms. Lerner’s emails were missing, Commissioner Koskinen testified the emails were unrecoverable. These statements were false.

Finally, Commissioner Koskinen failed to notify Congress that Lois Lerner’s emails were missing. By missing, I mean the IRS had destroyed the emails on March 4, 2014. The IRS did not notify Congress that the emails were missing until June 2014.

It is time for new leadership at the IRS. The American people deserve to have confidence in the IRS. We can only do that and we can only move forward by having new leadership and impeachment is the appropriate tool to achieve this.”

U.S. Sen. David Perdue (R-GA), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, issued a statement today in regards to the “the backroom deal Congressional leaders made with President Obama to abandon the Republican budget plan, suspend the debt ceiling, and use budget gimmicks to spend more taxpayer money”:

“This bad backroom deal puts unsustainable spending on autopilot and lets Washington politicians simply delay tough decisions for two more years. Congress should be working with a sense of urgency to solve our nation’s debt crisis right now. America can’t afford to wait for a more convenient time for elected leaders to do their job.

Not only does this deal increase the debt from $18 trillion to $20 trillion, but it also violates the responsible budget principles I have been fighting for every day. In typical Washington fashion, the insiders get to spend today in exchange for empty promises of savings tomorrow. Why would we trust a system that has proven to be untrustworthy?

Earlier this year, Republicans passed a budget that cut President Obama’s proposed spending by $7 trillion over the next decade and finally balanced, but this deal completely abandons that effort. Our long-term plan was traded for short-term gimmicks, trust fund raids, and even more spending. This deal isn’t compromise; it’s surrender.”

From a press release from Sam Olen’s office in regards to Georgia suing the EPA over its state standards for the Clean Air Act:

Attorney General Sam Olens today announced that Georgia, along with 23 other states, filed a lawsuit challenging the Obama Administration’s Section 111(d) Rule, an unlawful plan to radically restructure the way electricity is produced and consumed throughout the country. The Rule, as promulgated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), would result in dramatically higher electricity bills and significantly less reliable service for families, businesses, hospitals and schools across Georgia.

“This rule is a classic example of the Obama Administration’s pattern of attempting to accomplish with regulation what it cannot achieve with legislation,” said Olens. “We will combat this regulatory overreach to stop an increase in the cost of electricity for Georgia families. The Obama Administration’s EPA Chief Gina McCarthy has admitted that this regulation will have no actual effect on climate and that this rule would only lower temperatures by 1/100 of a degree Celsius. There is no justification for a rule that will lead to higher costs and fewer jobs because it’s entirely ineffective.”

The Rule purports to require States to reorganize their energy grids, in order to reduce carbon emissions from electric-generating plants by 32% below 2005 levels by 2030. The Rule could cost over $25 billion annually and those costs will ultimately be paid by consumers who could see their electric bills go up by 10% or more.

In the documents filed with the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, the States make clear that the EPA has no legal authority to promulgate or enforce the 111(d) Rule.

States have argued to the EPA for more than a year that the Rule is illegal for multiple reasons. In particular, the EPA lacks authority under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act to force States to fundamentally restructure their electric grids by requiring them to use less coal-fired energy and to build costly wind and solar facilities. The Rule is also illegal because it seeks to require States to regulate coal-fired power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, even though the EPA already regulates those same plants under Section 112 of the Act, imposing a double regulation that is prohibited by the Clean Air Act.

Rep. Barry Loudermilk wants the U.S. House to changes its rules to be required to pass all appropriations bills prior to the August recess each year: “All appropriations bills must be passed by the last Friday before the August recess. If the Conference fails to complete this goal, the Speaker of the House is required to rescind August recess and hold Congress in session until all appropriations bills have been passed.”

With House and Presidential elections in November, 2016, something tells me this Rule would be very difficult to pass until 2017, if at all. The reality is that campaigns typically come first, so it is easier to continue the practice of utilizing Continuing Resolutions (CRs) instead of giving up potential campaign time in an election year.

Loudermilk’s full statement:

“One of the primary responsibilities of Congress is to create the budget and manage the appropriations for the federal government. This responsibility is also an authority given to Congress that is used to constrain the other branches of government.

However, over the past several years, Congress has abdicated that authority and, instead of completing the process of budgeting and appropriating, they have just opted to continue operating the government AS-IS through passing a series of Continuing Resolutions (CRs).

Every successful business and family in America has to effectively manage their resources and their budget; and Congress should do no less. The federal government gives April 15 as a deadline to pay our taxes and, if we don’t, there are serious consequences. But there are no consequences or deadlines on Congress to do its job in completing the appropriations process.

My proposed change to the rule states: ‘All appropriations bills must be passed by the last Friday before the August recess. If the Conference fails to complete this goal, the Speaker of the House is required to rescind August recess and hold Congress in session until all appropriations bills have been passed.’

When I ran a business, we kept working on each job until it was completed. The American people expect Congress to stay at work until we complete the task we are primarily sent to do each year. This rule will ensure we put the future of the American people over our own interests.”

Yesterday, Gov. Deal shared that Linzer Products Corporation will create 200 new jobs and invest $4 million in Candler County by 2016. Linzer Products is a major manufacturer in the paint brush and roller industry with existing operations in California, New York, New Hampshire, and Illinois. Metter will become their first enterprise in the Southeast and will be its largest operation in the United States when their new 222,000-square-foot manufacturing and distribution center is opened.

Governor Deal:

“Our pro-business climate, highly-skilled workforce and manufacturing infrastructure continue to attract top-notch companies like Linzer to Georgia. Metter is an ideal location that will allow Linzer to continue growing as a leader in the paint manufacturing industry. With this new facility, Linzer is utilizing Georgia’s competitive assets while yielding economic benefits for the Candler County community.”

Brent Swenson, president of Linzer Products:

“This investment is key to meeting the needs of our customers, allowing us to produce high-quality products with greater efficiency and to deliver those products quickly throughout the Southeast region of the United States. We’re also pleased to contribute to the economic growth of this community.”

Metter Mayor Billy Trapnell:

“We are excited to welcome Linzer to Metter and Candler County. They are a great international corporation that produces quality products used worldwide. To have them locate their newest plant here, which will be their largest in the United States, is wonderful news. It has been a pleasure to work with their entire team in reaching this decision. We are confident that the Linzer products made in ‘Metter’ will without a doubt be not only ‘better,’ but the best in the paint products industry.”

Newt and Callista Gingrich will be signing copies of their newest books next week in Atlanta, Woodstock, and Ft. Benning. Callista Gingrich will be signing copies of Christmas in America, the latest in her New York Times bestselling children’s history series featuring Ellis the Elephant. Newt Gingrich will be signing copies of his latest novel, Duplicity.

The Telegraph (Macon) is reporting that Brooks Keisler has announced his candidacy to replace Sen. Ross Tolleson, who is resigning due to health problems. Keisler is the Vice-President at LTS Education Systems, an education software company. He is a 1999 graduate of Warner Robins High School. He later graduated with a degree in speech communication from Georgia Southern University. He is currently pursuing a masters degree in learning, design, and technology from UGA.

From Keisler’s Facebook page:

“With the encouragement of family and friends, I am announcing that I will run for State Senate District 20.

Bethany and I, along with our kids, are excited about the journey ahead. We ask that you will pray for us during this time, that we may always represent our community with honor and integrity.

We also ask for your support and guidance along the way.

I believe that you know who I am and you know my heart. I would be honored and humbled to serve our community as State Senator. Thank you for your encouraging words and actions.

There will be a public kickoff celebration towards the end of next week that I would love to have you all attend. Details of the time and place will be updated later this week.

From a press release sent out by the Constitutional Rights PAC, Paul Broun is a part of group that wants Paul Ryan “fired” from a job he doesn’t have yet. There is even a nifty website at firepaulryan.com

Paul Broun:

“I like Paul Ryan personally, but I believe that if he were to be elected Speaker we will see a continuation of Boehner policies. We must elect a Speaker that will stand-up to Obama and his radical policies that are hurting all Americans, especially the poor and senior citizens on limited incomes. We have to have leadership that is strong and truly conservative.”

“Paul Ryan is undeserving of the Speakership. We fought Rep. McCarthy’s race to lead the House because of his compromises, and we aren’t going to turn a blind eye toward’s Ryan, despite the fact that he presents himself as a conservative. We forced Boehner to step down, Cantor was defeated, and McCarthy withdrew – yet the Establishment continues to serve up RINO after RINO after RINO. If Ryan is chosen, we’ll see that he’s fired.”

Kay Daly, who is running against Rep. Renee Ellmers (listed as RINO-NC2 in the press release):

“Paul Ryan would be the most liberal, pro-union, Republican Speaker in history. He is one of only six House Republicans who voted for Teddy Kennedy’s bill to force Christian employers to hire LGBT employees. Even John Boehner never did that!”

The following is from a press release sent to us, which brings us up to four announced Republican candidates to replace retiring Sen. Ross Tolleson:

Laurens County Commissioner and Conservative Businessman Jon Martin announced today his candidacy for Georgia’s 20th State Senate District, to replace retiring State Senator Ross Tolleson.

“After a great deal of prayer with my family and friends, and encouragement from so many throughout our community, I am excited to announce my candidacy for State Senate,” Martin said. “I strongly believe that the future of our community requires new leadership with a bold, forward-looking vision. I look forward to bringing principled leadership, common-sense business practices, and a true desire to serve our district in Atlanta. I am not running to be a show horse in the State Senate, but to be a workhorse in Atlanta for our families and communities.”

Martin is a former classroom teacher, football, and basketball coach. He is presently the Director of Business Development at Gayco Healthcare, a long-term care, closed-door pharmacy located in Dublin, Georgia. With 75 employees, Gayco provides medication to long-term care facilities for thousands of patients throughout Georgia. Martin currently serves on the Laurens County Board of Commissioners having been first elected in 2012. He subsequently completed the Association County Commissioners of Georgia Commissioner certification program. Martin is currently on the Dublin Laurens County Recreation Department Board. Martin recently took part in a delegation from Georgia on a visit to Germany on the behalf of the Dublin-Laurens County Development Authority to help recruit companies to consider locating to Dublin-Laurens County. “Our efforts in Dublin-Laurens County are collaborative efforts by County and City officials to work together for our citizens and our future. I will take this same approach in advocating for our citizens in Bleckley, Houston, Laurens, and Pulaski.”

“My family and I love this part of the State, and I truly desire to see it reinvigorated with growth and jobs,” said Martin. While laying out his plan for growth, Martin said, “I think we must focus our efforts on bringing jobs back to Middle Georgia. Our local leaders have done a good job of creating a favorable business environment for potential employers, but we must work at the state level as well to foster a pro business climate, so Georgians aren’t losing jobs to our neighboring states. We must also work to find innovative opportunities within our education system, so we will have a viable work force educated for the needs of companies looking to locate in Middle Georgia.”

Martin earned his bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Tennessee Temple University. He is married to the former Jennifer Hope Brown. They are proud parents of Carson, 12, and Charlee Grace, 9, and remain active in the community. The Martins are actively involved in Dudley Baptist Church in Dudley.

An announcement was made today by Gov. Deal stating that Georgia’s net tax collections for September, 2015 totaled almost $1.97 billion, an increase of about $83.4 million (4.6%) from September, 2014. This brings the final net tax revenue collections to $5.13 billion for the 2015-2016 fiscal year, which is up $438.7 million (9.4%) from last year.

In addition, $74.3 million was generated for transportation due to changes implemented by House Bill 170.

The following is a breakdown of the September, 2015 revenues in comparison to September, 2014:

Description

Amount Collected

Change From Sept., 2014

Percentage Increase

Individual income taxes

$1.01 billion

$62.3 million

6.6%

Gross Sales & Use Tax

$865.2 million

$7.8 million

0.9%

Net Sales & Use Tax

$444.1 million

-$1.5 million

-0.3%

Corporate income taxes

$187.1 million

$2.5 million

1.4%

A copy of the September, 2015 financial report can be seen after the break. Read more